Electric switch



. \July 6, 1937. s. H. CHURCHILL 2,086,066.

ELECTRI C SWITCH Original Filed Oct. 25, 1934 Patented July 6, 1937 ELECTRIC swr'rcn Stanley Harris Churchill, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Original application October 25, 1934, Serial No. 750,003. Divided and this application June 22, 1935, Serial No. 27,984

1 Claim. (Cl. 20085) My invention relates to switches for electric devices or apparatus. In making my invention, I have given'it characteristics of structure of special importance or value in a switch for the automatic .control or regulation of an electric 2, 3 and 4. It includes a shell ll of bakelite or other material with insulating properties which has an opening at one end from which outwardly projects a flange H, to lie against the adjacent surface of the seat or other member upon which 5 motor that is a part of a ventilating system for the switch may be mounted. Said shell is secured 6 rooms or compartments in which toilet applifirmly in position by retaining screws I5, which ances or fixtures are installed, and the use of pass through holes IS, in the shoulder flange I, which renders ventilation highly desirable. It is these retaining screws being concealed when the 10 obviously of the highest importance that such a diaphra and ov p e are assembled in w switch should safeguard persons from electric position. At the closed end of the shell emshock from the switch either while using or bedded in the wall and end and exposed within cleansing the fixture and also to assure the switch the same are two stationary contact points or itself from damage or derangement. Such a electrodes I 8, which respectively by lead wires I9,

switch embodying my invention is shown and areconnected in circuit with the electric motor 15 described in my application No. 750,003 filed 00- of the suction device, the wire connections bein tober 25, 1934, for Toilet ventilating apparatus on ends of the contacts on the exterior of the and ventilating methods, and this application is side wall of the shell. Loosely mounted within filed as a d vision of that application in response the shell to be readily slidable therein is a plunger to a requirement by the Patent om e for di i i n, 20, which in a recess at one end has secured to 20 Accordingly, in the illustration and description, it the bridge contact her adapted by movethe present application is similar to or correment of the plu towards the Contact Points sponds with what is shown and described in my 8, to touch the latter and thus close the circuit said application No. 750,003, insofar as my switch to the motor. This contact bridge bar pr ly is concerned, but it is to be understood that I do consists of a fiat metal spri with raised ends 25 not restrict or confine myself to the use of my ying tungsten or her Contact faces switch invention as a part of a toilet ventilating reaching beyond the lower face of plunger 20, apparatus, nor to any particular apparatus or to ch it s Secured by retaining Screw relation, since by the present application, patent s ow u t Contact ends touch the Contact protection is sought for the switch in itself. electrodes l8 and bridge them, at which time cur- 30 Accordingly, my invention forming the subject rent flows through 2 i. The contact is made by a of this application, consists in whatever is deight sprin y' p e due to the end of 2| being scribed by or is included within the terms or raised far enough to touch the electrodes pe of the appended claim. before plunger 20 has been stopped on its down- In the drawing: ward travel. Normally the contact is broken by 35 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of t il t, room the lifting of the plunger to carry the bridge bar fixture provided with a switch embodying my away from the contactpoints i8, when it beinvention for the control of a fan-driving eleccomes and remains dead electrica y, y a 0011 tric motor forming part of a ventilating system; Spring 23, c a y p d within a chamber Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the switch; recess in th plu r. uch sp i a s at 40 Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of th one end against the closed wall of the shell which 1 junction box applied to the seat of the 1115mmcarries a central spring retaining stud 25, and tion shown in Fig. 1; at the other end against a surface closing the end Fig. 4 is a. detail perspective view in section of of the recess The P u 20 at s upp or a portion of the switch shell; outer end is attached to the central portion of a 45 Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of the fl x Preferably er, diaphragm 28, which contact bridge bar carrying plunger and said is of greater diameter than the plunger, so that bridge bar shown separated. it projects beyond the latter and has its project- Describing in detail what is shown in the drawin ri or ed secured fir to th sh ll- 3.

ing, the switch embodying my invention is sh wn between binding or clamping surfaces so that be- 50 applied to the seat. l0, of a closet bowl for the tween the latter and the pl there is a free automatic starting and stopping of an electric port on o the diaphragm which Permits e e fan motor II, the fan inlet being connected by a ter to buckle when pressure is applied either by pipe l2, with the bowlbelow the flush tank. the expanding spring 23 on one side or by oppos- The electric switch structure is shown in Figs. ing pressure on the other as from the weight of a 55 r person on the seat. Above the diaphragm and fitting the opening in the shell 93, at that point is a cover plate 21, preferably of metal which lies against the rim or marginal portion of the diaphragm 26, and by means of screws 21:; passing therethrough into the shell, clamp or bind such. marginal edge against an annular shoulder on the shell. Internally threaded anchor blocks 28, embedded in the shell are provided for engagement by the clamping screws 21a.

The central portion of the diaphragm 26 is clamped between the adjacent end of the plunger 20 and the outwardly flanged end of a collar 29 by means of screws 30, which pass through the diaphragm and into internally threaded anchor blocks 3i, embedded in the plunger 26, which is preferably of bakelite or other insulating material. 5 The collar 29, passes outwardly from the shell through a central hole in the cover plate 2i and upon its outer end has secured to it a bumper block 32, preferably of rubber, which contactswith the toilet fixture member which suuplies the pressure to the bumper to move the plunger to close the circuit through the bridge bar contact 2 l. Embedded in the bumper block is a thin, flat disc 33 of metal which serves to securely fix to the bumper block a screw 34, that projects from the end thereof next the collar 29, and which engages an internally threaded central hole in the collar 29, to attach the bumper block to the collar. On the side or base of the bumper block opposite the cover plate 21, is secured a bumper plate 35, which has a central hole that receives the reduced end of the collar 29, so that the plate rests upon a shoulder on the collar and thus is the means for transmitting the bumper pressure to the collar and thence to the circuit-closing plunger 20. Another important function of the bumper plate 35, is to contact with the cover plate 2'! when the bumper is moved for circuit-closing so that excess pressure will be taken by these two contacting plates and transmission thereof to the inner parts of the switch is prevented which might result in injury thereto. The distance between the two plates is slightly less than the depth or space between the bottom or inner end of the plunger and the closed end of the shell and allowing the points of the bridge contact bar to make a springy contact with the stationary switch points or electrodes 18, so that such parts are never subjected to any heavy,

and possibly damaging, pressure regardless of the force which moves the bumper in circuitclosing movement. The screw 34, of course, secures or holds the bumper plate to the end of the plunger collar 29.

The bumper block has on its outer side a screw' driver slot that reaches to the slotted head of screw 34.

The coil spring 23 has strength or power enough when acting on the seat or movable memher of the toilet fixture to lift such member and thus assure movement and holding of the bridge contact bar 2| out of contact with the switch points l8 and thus assure the non-running of the electric motor when the toilet is not in use.

The rubber or elastic diaphragm 26 is to exclude air, moisture and water even if submerged in water, from the interior of such switch mechanism and yet allow free movement'of the circuitclosing plunger. To, prevent damage to the buckling portion of the diaphragm by any rubbing or cutting action of adjacent parts, a recess 36 is provided adajacent thereto as by beveling the adjacent surface of the shell wall and outer-edge switch is actually in use.

of the flange of collar 29, to an extent that provides ample space for free movement and buckling of the diaphragm and which eliminates any sharp or cutting edges with which the moving or flexing portion of the diaphragm might have contact. The surfaces on opposite sides of the diaphragm which contact therewith for binding or clamping purposes are held by the screws employed with sufficient pressure to make the joints air, dust and water-tight.

Preferably to prevent any turning movement of the plunger 20, within the shell, the plunger may be provided with a vertical groove 31, extending in an axial direction which slidably engages a rib 38, on the adjacent wall of the shell.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the switch is mounted in the underside of the seat, and preferably at the left side thereof, because that is the side of the seat upon which the weight of the body is thrown in the customary use of the closet, and this assures against accidental opening of the switch by reason of insuillcient weight on the seat above the switch as sometimes occurs when the switch is on the right side, even though the toilet fixture continues in use.

From'the switch, two lead wires l9 run through a channel or conduit 39, running internally,

through the seat from the switch to the hinged end of the seat whereat is a junction box 40. The junction box is placed in a recess in the rear lower side of the seat and includes a block 4i of insulating material such as bakelite, rubber or fiber, which is secured in the recess by screws 42. The lead wires l9 are secured to the insulator block 4|, by a binding screw or post 43, for each, and to the same binding posts are secured the two current or lead wires 44, which run to the motor.

Besides the two lead wires which connect the switch and the motor, I run a wire 45 from the anchor block 28 adjacent to switch endof conduit 39, which is enlarged at this point for this purpose, soldering wire 45 to the end of the anchor block where it appears flush with flange i4. This brings every exposed metal part of switch into contact with wire 45, which runs to a binding post 46, of the junction box, from which a wire 41 is carried to aground and thereby the exposed metal parts of the switch are grounded and thus all possible danger of shock from the high voltage house current which the switch carries is eliminated. Thus even if a person should touch the possibly electrified external metal radiator or Water pipes, this grounding of the switch would be a perfect safeguard even though such a person might increase the risk by water used in washing the fixture. Further protection from shock is secured by the complete or perfect insulation of the electrodes or contact or switch points, from all other metal parts of the switch and by so mounting bridge contact-var-carrying plunger that it has no electrical contacts except .when the A further safeguard is provided when the switch is located below, or on the underside of the seat, and is thus hidden and inaccessible to touch, especially when in use. The recess containing the junction box has a cover 48, of insulating material, so that it is protected both physically and electrically, as against shortcircuiting, or shocking a user.

My junction box is a most advantageous arrangement because it makes the disconnection of the wiring from the seat a very simple matter the connections shall be safe and inconspicuous.

and has a location or position which assures that aosaoee The placing or the wires in the seat is a simple and easily performed operation. After the switch has been installed with the two lead wires and the ground wire attached to the switch 5 parts, the three wires are pulled through the. conduit 30 to carry their free ends to the Junction box and such ends are secured to the binding posts. The switch terminal ends of the three wires are soldered to the stationary contact points 10 and the cover plate screw anchor 28, before the switch'shell issecured in the proper recess in the underside of the seat. The diaphragm cover plate, bumper plate' and bumper are. conveniently put in place after the switch shell with the 15 parts therein is placed in the seat recess.

What I claim is:-

An electric SWitTh comprising a body member of insulating material having a chamber therein open at oneend and provided with a mounting 20 flange atthe open end of the chamber, the inner wall portion of the chamber being flared outwardly near its open end to the plane of the base of a rabbeted portion at the edge of the chamber opening, a pair of Sp ced contacts mounted in the base of the chamber in the body member, a

plug member of insulating material slidably at the innermost end of the plug member and arranged to be inoved into contact with said spaced contacts upon inward movement of the plug member, said plug member having a spring housing recess therein, a compression spring mounted within the recess to abut the rear of said recess and the rear of said chamber within the body, a flexible diaphragm secured near its outer edge to the body rhemberwlthin the rabbeted portion and secured at its central portion to the outer end of said plug member to seal the space between the plug member and the inner side walls of the body member, and operating means secured to said plug member through the dia- Phraam.

STANLEY HARRIS CHURCHILL. 

